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Thoughts About the Syrian Refugee Crisis

I know it’s a little late to jump onto the Syrian Refugee crisis debate, but I wanted to put a lot of thought into this. I’ve talked to friends with all sorts of differing opinions, ranging from the Trojan Horse Theory, to total hospitality. Each offering different insights and ideas as of what we ought to do. Some said we should only invite Christians. Others, none. And some, all. In this case, I must agree with president Obama’s assertion to bring in these refugees.

Personally, I would have liked to hear that more than 10,000 would be welcomed to US grounds and offered food and shelter. After all, that is the Christian thing to do.

There are irrational theories circling around. Some say that because of what took place in Paris, that the Syrians must be responsible for these atrocities. We now know that Syrian refugees had nothing to do with it. Basing our politics and decisions off of fear is not rational, and will not help move the country forward.

I am reminded of another group of people who were discriminated against in the American South during the late 1800’s. A group of Mormon missionaries were shown minuscule hospitality in the southern states. The fear was that, because Mormons back then were polygamous, these missionaries were out to steal their wives and daughters (which, of course, wasn’t true). They were painted as devils in the papers and the news. This resulted to many lynchings and killings of many Mormon missionaries.

I am reminded of Christ’s teachings on the golden rule:

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. -Matthew 7:12 (ESV)

If we were escaping from horror and terror, would we want people to reach out and help us?

If one person, just one, decided to let the Mormons stay in their home with them, and show an amount of hospitality. Perhaps some of their lives could have been spared by vicious mobs and angry scared men. This situation is so similar to what is going on with the Syrian refugees. Are our decisions based off of irrational fears?